There is a strong belief by Constitutional scholars on the left and right that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), or the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) as it is now sometimes labeled, is unconstitutional.
A blog post dated June 16 and titled “ISDS provisions in TPP violate Article III of the U.S. Constitution” (http://digbysblog.blogspot.com) reveals all trade “agreements” in recent times are considered normal legislation and not treaties, which they are, in fact. Treaties require a two-thirds vote of Congress, whereas normal law requires only 50 percent plus one. Beyond that, these “agreements” subjugate U.S. law to the rulings of corporate tribunals staffed by people who need not even be citizens of the U.S. and from which there is no appeal. The commentary goes into more detail than can be expressed here and draws on a lot of sources to make its argument.
Our concern, as citizens, should be to ask why Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, are so eager to violate their oaths of office in voting for such legislation. My view is that money has become their only compass, and the will of the people counts for nothing.
We must all express our concern to them, and if they continue to represent money, vote them out of office.
